2012-13 Undergraduate Catalog

The family of disciplines known as the humanities explores the diversity of human experience through the study of cultural forms and expressions in particular social or historical contexts. These forms are diverse in themselves, ranging from literary works to historical documents, philosophical constructs to visual artifacts, religious practices to musical and dramatic performances. These often require the special approaches of their particular discipline. At the same time, the humanities disciplines are complementary and collaborative, sharing common goals, methods, and understandings.

The Humanities Program at Bemidji State is dedicated to collaboration. Within a flexible structure, it brings together courses from all the allied disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary courses of its own. Its objectives are threefold: 1) to provide multiple frames of reference for analysis and interpretation; 2) to foster increased awareness of the unique character of each of the humanities disciplines, together with an understanding of interrelationships among visual art, music, language, literature, and history; 3) to promote, through the cultivation of curiosity and multicultural sensibilities, the breadth of learning necessary for successful careers in government, business, or the professions.